title: Winter storm-related injuries in Oklahoma, January 2007.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A January 2007 ice storm occurred in Oklahoma, causing power outages and hazardous travel conditions. The objective of this investigation was to describe the nature of winter storm-related injuries among Oklahoma residents, to determine populations at risk, and to inform prevention-planning personnel.
  
  
  METHODS
  Winter storm-related injuries were a temporarily reportable condition; all acute-care hospitals and the state medical examiner logged storm-related injuries and deaths during January 12-30, 2007. Medical records were retrospectively abstracted. Risk of injury was described by demographic group, injury type, and mechanism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 6,047 persons experiencing winter storm-related injuries, 74% were injured in falls, 13% in motor-vehicle collisions (MVCs), 8% while sledding, 1% by unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, 1% in cleanup activities, and 3% by other mechanisms. Median age of injured persons was 39years. Persons aged ≥ 40 years were 1.4 times more likely to experience falls as the cause of injury than those aged < 40 years, and falls were twice as likely as other mechanisms to cause fractures among persons aged ≥ 40 years. Injured persons aged < 40 years were 2.2 times more likely to experience MVC-related injuries, and 19 times more likely to experience sledding-related injuries than persons aged ≥ 40 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Younger persons were more likely injured in MVCs and sledding incidents, whereas older persons were more likely to experience falls and fractures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevention messages for winter storm-related injuries should target winter-driving safety tips to younger adults and precautions regarding falls to older adults.
authors.affiliation: Oklahoma State Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, OSELS/SEPDPO/PMR, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-92, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. epiercefield@cdc.gov
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Piercefield
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wendling
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Archer
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mallonee
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002249:Carbon Monoxide Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007053:Ice / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009825:Oklahoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D012621:Seasons; D012914:Snow; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007053:Ice